by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 611 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
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The construction trades program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Construction Trades Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Construction Trades Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Williamson College Of The Trades the best value for a degree in construction trades in the United States. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $51,498. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $52,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,969. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $52,474. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Alpena Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot this year. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College placed #6 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #7 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Georgia Technical College placed #8 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,279. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #10 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $20,250. Construction Trades graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #12 position for value in construction trades this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,288. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #14 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Wilkes Community College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #17 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Somerset Community College came in at #18 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $46,259. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $58,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College landed the #21 spot for construction trades value this year. Spokane Community College is a large public school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,383. Construction Trades graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $66,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,142. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $54,584. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College placed #23 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $13,312. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earned the #24 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,186. Construction Trades graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $59,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,186 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #25 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,350. Construction Trades graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $64,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for construction trades this year:
The following schools rounded out the strongest construction trades values:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in construction trades:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #118 | Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | Full Report |
| #119 | Mt San Antonio College | Walnut, CA | Full Report |
| #120 | El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | Full Report |
| #121 | Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | Full Report |
| #122 | Washington County Community College | Calais, ME | Full Report |
| #123 | Austin Community College District | Austin, TX | Full Report |
Construction Trades is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 611 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 611 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.